How to Determine If Your Cat Is Overweight
If your favorite feline is wearing an apron instead of sporting an
hourglass figure, you've got one fat cat.
Step 1) Check that your pet's ribs are easily felt but not visibly
sticking out. This indicates that your cat is at a desirable
weight.
Step 2) Look at your pet from above. Some indentation between the
rib cage and the hips, depicting an hourglass shape, indicates that
your pet is at a desirable weight.
Step 3) Check your pet's belly. If the belly protrudes, your cat
may be overweight. (A protruding belly on a cat is called an
apron).
Step 4) Feel your pet's hips. Anything more than light fleshiness
indicates that your pet is above normal weight.
Step 5) Always consult a veterinarian before putting a pet on a
diet. Your veterinarian can recommend a special diet appropriate to
your pet, and can examine your pet to rule out the possibility that
a serious medical condition is causing the obesity.
Tips & Warnings
* Regular exercise helps your pet lose weight.
* A cat's weight at 1 year of age often reflects the animal's
optimal body weight, although this is not true of cats that are
already obese at 1 year. A veterinarian can provide weight
guidelines.
* Visible ribs or excessive thinness could be a sign of
hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) in cats, especially in those
over 12 years of age. Consult a veterinarian if your pet is
chronically underweight.
* It's crucial not to let your cat become overweight - it could
lead to hepatic lipidosis (a fatty liver).
Quoted from ("www.catmanual.blogspot.com")
